My Word for the Year

In thinking about which word I would choose for the coming year, this quote from Jack Harbaugh (father of Superbowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh) kept coming to mind.

Attack in that sense is fitting. You should be enthusiastic and excited about your life. Be present. Be an active participant. It's been said that so many people go through life just going through the motions. Alive, but not really living. Or, waiting for someday, but in doing so, not realizing that so many days are passing them by and that someday might never arrive.

Along the lines of attacking with enthusiasm, here's something else I need to keep in mind:

Embrace the opportunities, no matter how they come to you.

That line is one of the things I took away from watching A Football Life: Brian Dawkins (from NFL Films). Dawkins is one of my all-time favorite Philadelphia Eagles. He got to play college ball for Clemson University, yet he didn't know back then that it was due to a stipulation of another player (QB/Linebacker Patrick Sapp) that Clemson was courting. "I'll play for you, but you've got to take Brian too." This was an awesome gesture by his friend. Instead of focusing on or obsessing over the way something has come into your life, take advantage of it. After all, it's what you do with the opportunity that really matters.

I recently had a long conversation with a friend about depression and broken dreams and what happens when life isn't resembling anything remotely close to what you hoped it would be. As we spoke, I tried to draw from as many sources that have helped me, and at the end she said she felt better. But it was also a good reminder for me to revisit those sources, to revive and refresh. Because honestly, there are days when enthusiasm is hard to come by. Days when everything is gray and difficult, and drumming up a smile seems impossible. Finding enthusiasm, excitement, the joie de vivre can be a fight in and of itself.

But I'm ready to try.

Attack each day with enthusiasm?

Challenge Accepted.

My words last year were Breathe. Focus. Steady. Yes, I chose three, and no, I didn't always manage to live them. In fact, I failed more often than not. It's hard to breathe when stress overtakes everything. It's hard to focus when so many things are clambering for your attention. It's hard to remain steady when life rips the rug out from under you.

And so when those times and situations arise, another word for this year could be flow. As in, flow like water. 'Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it.' - Bruce Lee.

A new year is a new start. In writer's terms, it's 12 new chapters and 365 blank pages. How will you fill yours?

SUSAN SCOTT SHELLEY | ROMANCE AUTHOR

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